Chapter 6 CHAPTER 6 BLOOD IN THE ALLEY

Ryan's POV

The alley smelled like piss and rotting garbage.

I stood at the far end, back against the cold stone wall, and watched the entrance. The wind picked up, pulling at my torn shirt, but I didn't move. Didn't even blink.

Something was coming. I could feel it in my bones.

My wolf, Knox stirred inside me, restless.

Footsteps echoed off the narrow walls. Five figures stumbled into the alley, blocking the only exit.

They were rogues. I could tell by the way they moved—no pack discipline, no coordination. Their eyes glowed red in the shadows, and the stench of alcohol hit me like a punch to the face.

Blood too. Old blood, dried into their clothes.

The one in front was the worst. Big guy, maybe thirty, with greasy hair and a smile that made my skin crawl. He licked his lips as he looked me over.

"Well, well, well," he said, voice slurred. "Look what we got here."

I didn't answer. Just kept my eyes on him, tracking every movement.

He took a step closer. "Been watching you, pretty boy. You're new around here, ain't ya?"

My jaw tightened, but I stayed quiet.

The rogue's smile widened. "You got no pack smell on you. No one's gonna come looking."

Another step. His voice dropped lower, more dangerous.

"That face, that body... real pretty for a boy. But that's alright. We ain't picky."

He grabbed at his crotch, and I felt my wolf snarl inside my chest.

"Gonna have some fun with you, kid."

The other four rogues spread out, cutting off any escape route.

"Dibs on second," one of them called out.

Another one whistled. "Fresh meat."

They were moving in from both sides now, forming a half-circle around me.

"Nobody's gonna hear you scream down here, boy," one said.

"Struggle all you want," another added with a laugh. "Makes it more fun."

The leader started unbuckling his belt. "Let's see what you got under those rags."

The wind picked up again, whipping my hair across my face.

Inside me, something shifted. My wolf wanted blood.

No. I wanted blood too.

The leader got close enough that I could smell his breath—alcohol and decay. His hand reached out, fingers almost touching my shoulder.

That's when I let go.

My eyes exploded with golden light.

A growl ripped from my throat. Bones cracked and reformed. My body expanded, muscles tearing and rebuilding. My shirt shredded as golden fur erupted from my skin.

The rogues' eyes went wide.

"He's shifting! He's already awakened!"

"How is that possible? He looks so young!"

Too late for regrets now.

My wolf form towered over them—bigger than any normal wolf, twice the size. Golden fur rippled across my body, and my eyes burned with fire. My fangs caught the afternoon light, gleaming like knives.

The Alpha pressure rolled off me in waves.

The leader stumbled backward. "What the—"

I didn't let him finish.

I lunged forward, claws extended. They sliced through his throat like butter. Blood sprayed across the stone walls in a perfect arc.

He dropped to the ground with a heavy thud.

The other four froze for half a second. Their faces went pale.

Then they tried to run.

I was faster.

I spun and caught the second one before he made it three steps. My jaws clamped down on his spine. I heard the crack, felt the bones splinter between my teeth.

He went limp immediately.

The third one was screaming now, scrambling toward the alley entrance.

I leaped over the bodies and landed in front of him. My claws tore through his chest, ripping it open. His insides spilled onto the cobblestones in a mess of red.

The fourth one tried to shift into his wolf form. I saw the red glow in his eyes intensify, his body starting to change.

Not fast enough.

I slammed into him, driving my fangs through his skull. There was a crunch, then nothing.

Four down. One left.

The last rogue was pressed against the wall, shaking so hard his teeth chattered. He was the youngest of the group, maybe early twenties.

"Please," he whimpered. "Please, I'm sorry, I—"

I took a step toward him.

Then another.

My vision started to blur.

What the—

My legs felt like lead suddenly. Heavy. Too heavy.

I stumbled, catching myself with one massive paw.

No. Not now.

My breathing was ragged, labored. Each breath felt like sucking air through mud.

The shift. It was draining me.

I was only fifteen. My wolf had awakened early—way earlier than it should have. I could shift, yeah, but I couldn't hold the form for long.

My body wasn't ready for this kind of power.

The last rogue saw me falter. His eyes lit up with hope.

He spotted a knife on the ground and snatched it up.

The shift reversed. It happened fast and violent. My body shrank. The golden fur receded. I hit the ground hard, naked and covered in blood.

Couldn't breathe. Couldn't move.

No. No, I couldn't die here.

Not yet.

I had to survive. I had to get revenge.

Dad's face flashed through my mind—his cold eyes staring down at me like I was nothing. Like I was trash. All those years of beatings. All the times he let the pack tear me apart with their words and fists.

Quinn's smug smile when she sent me to die.

The way everyone watched and did nothing.

They thought I was weak. They thought I'd just disappear.

I'd show them. I'd show them all.

I pushed myself up. My arms shook. My whole body screamed in protest.

Get up. Get up. GET UP.

I made it to my hands and knees, then staggered to my feet.

The alley spun around me. Blood dripped down my body—couldn't tell if it was mine or theirs anymore.

Didn't matter.

I had to move. Had to get out of here.

I stumbled out of the alley, one foot in front of the other.

Behind me, I heard laughter.

"Look at you!" the rogue shouted. "Pathetic! You can barely walk!"

"Thought you were so tough, didn't you? Thought you were some big bad wolf?"

I kept moving. Left foot. Right foot. Don't stop.

"You're nothing! Just a weak little boy playing dress-up!"

My legs gave out. I caught myself against the wall, fingers scraping against rough stone.

Come on. Just a little further.

"I'm gonna gut you slow," the rogue said, his voice right behind me now. "Gonna make you scream."

I pushed off the wall, took three more steps.

Then my legs buckled completely.

I crashed to the ground face-first. The cobblestones were cold against my skin.

Couldn't get up. Couldn't move at all anymore.

This was it.

The rogue's shadow fell over me. "Stupid kid. Should've just stayed down the first time."

I tried to push myself up one more time. My arms wouldn't work. Nothing worked.

REVENGE. I needed REVENGE.

But I couldn't even lift my head.

The rogue grabbed my hair and yanked my head back. The knife pressed against my throat.

"Die, you little shit."

I closed my eyes.